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How do I plot a list of coordinates on an interactive map

PostPosted: Aug 28, 2014 9:19 pm
by GroundquestMSA
I don't know the jargon, but here's what I want. I want a map with dots representing caves. I want to be able to tell which dot is which cave. I want to be able to see both zoomable terrain and satellite views. I have coordinates, a computer, and a very feeble but occasionally operational brain. Help!

Re: How do I plot a list of coordinates on an interactive ma

PostPosted: Aug 28, 2014 9:45 pm
by KeyserSoze
An easy way to do it is with Google My Maps feature. Log in to a Google account - go to maps - my places - create a new Google map. Be sure to set the privacy to "unlisted" and careful not to share the link because there are no other security settings to lock people out of a map once they get access with the link. I prefer to create with classic Google maps. I don't really like anything about the new Google Maps at all, so I hope they don't take away the classic maps option.
https://maps.google.com/maps/myplaces

Here is a map I made with slot canyon locations and other points of interest. It was extremely helpful when I went out west. The best part is that it works on the android phone really well. It actually works better on my phone then it does on the computer.
http://goo.gl/maps/pksZm

Re: How do I plot a list of coordinates on an interactive ma

PostPosted: Aug 29, 2014 9:11 am
by peter febb
I have software that builds Google KML files from CSV spreadsheet, and back, so roundtripping can be done.
Email me for copies.

Re: How do I plot a list of coordinates on an interactive ma

PostPosted: Aug 29, 2014 11:24 am
by Leclused
GroundquestMSA wrote:I don't know the jargon, but here's what I want. I want a map with dots representing caves. I want to be able to tell which dot is which cave. I want to be able to see both zoomable terrain and satellite views. I have coordinates, a computer, and a very feeble but occasionally operational brain. Help!


Build in feature in speleobase :clap:

See www.scavalon.be

But don't you use speleobase yet?

Re: How do I plot a list of coordinates on an interactive ma

PostPosted: Aug 29, 2014 12:25 pm
by trogman
I use Terrain Navigator, which I have been quite happy with. However, it has gotten much more expensive in the last few years; the latest version is $400 a state. Back when I purchased mine, I got a 3 state package for $139.

Trogman :helmet:

Re: How do I plot a list of coordinates on an interactive ma

PostPosted: Aug 29, 2014 5:27 pm
by johnf93
I never knew speleobase existed, thanks for the info!

Re: How do I plot a list of coordinates on an interactive ma

PostPosted: Sep 2, 2014 2:45 pm
by LukeM
The same thing KeyserSoze was talking about can also be done in Google Earth (non-browser based), depending on your preference. One nice thing you can do is add topo maps, but if your internet is slow they may not stream to your computer very effectively. See here: http://equipped.outdoors.org/2012/12/how-to-add-usgs-topographic-maps-to.html

Re: How do I plot a list of coordinates on an interactive ma

PostPosted: Nov 24, 2014 8:39 am
by bennettbike
The best is going to be streets and trips by microsoft. I work in telecom and everyone uses this for dropping pins, you can import excel sheets into the program, so basically if you get a digital version of every cave location from gss you can drop a pin on every cave, or if thats too many i guess you could just drop what you want to see.

Re: How do I plot a list of coordinates on an interactive ma

PostPosted: Nov 24, 2014 12:13 pm
by LukeM
Just FYI, I looked it up and Streets and Trips has been discontinued as a product, though you may still be able to buy it. Just don't expect any support or updates.

Re: How do I plot a list of coordinates on an interactive ma

PostPosted: Nov 24, 2014 4:31 pm
by caver.adam
This depends on what you're looking to do. ArcGIS online has some free features available. It can make private maps but you aren't allowed to share on a free account unless you share with everyone. Also, I'm not sure whether you can export your data once you've entered it. But it is a very flexible program other than that.

Re: How do I plot a list of coordinates on an interactive ma

PostPosted: Dec 21, 2014 6:43 pm
by bennettbike
I did not know that Luke, so as long as the roads dont change to quick streets and trips is exceptional. Everyone in telecom uses the program to drop gps coords with an offline map. You can import full excel docs.

Im going to drop all the coords and provide anyone a file copy as long as they are gss.

Re: How do I plot a list of coordinates on an interactive ma

PostPosted: Dec 21, 2014 8:23 pm
by bennettbike
It took some thinking and creativity but i just dropped pins on all of page 2 of the gss listings.